Kenya court lengthens suspension of US Ebola center after deadly protests News
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Kenya court lengthens suspension of US Ebola center after deadly protests

A Kenyan court on Tuesday lengthened its suspension on building a US Ebola quarantine center near the Laikipia airbase following protests that left two people dead.

After reviewing an emergency petition by the Katiba Institute, Justice Patricia Mande Nyaundi postponed the operation of the planned quarantine facility by another three weeks. The petition raised issues related to the transparency, accountability, and access to information regarding the arrangements between the US and Kenyan governments. The court forbade the government from constructing or admitting any Ebola-exposed individuals into the facility until officials publicly disclosed the bilateral agreements they had with the US and their intended operational protocols by June 9.

Kenya Health Secretary Aden Duale announced the facility, marketed as strengthening Kenya’s preparedness for Ebola, last week, triggering protests. An anonymous US official later revealed that the center would be exclusively serving infected US citizens, creating doubt on the ethicality of the agreement between the two governments. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), despite rising Ebola infected people or confirmed deaths in bordering East African countries such as Uganda and Congo, Kenya has reported no cases.

The Katiba Institute raised concerns regarding the public health risk posed to Kenyan residents by bringing Ebola-exposed or infected people into Kenya given they are currently Ebola-free. They also raised concerns around the secrecy surrounding the highly infectious disease center, especially without oversight and proper health and safety protocols. The judge agreed on the murkiness of the agreement, stating that more information is required for the court to properly consider the merits of the case.

The ruling came just one day after hundreds of residents and youths protested outside the facility, apparently causing the death of two people. The organizers of the protest confirmed with local media that the two people were ​killed by gunshot wounds after police opened fire. Police stated they were unaware of any deaths.

In response to the ruling, US health official Mehmet Oz held a press briefing at the White House. When a reporter asked him where will Americans who have been exposed go and why they cannot just come to the US, he refused to answer, reiterating his confidence in working out arrangements with Kenya.

The US remained optimistic, with US Foreign Assistance officials confirming that they are aware of the court ruling and are currently working with Kenyan authorities and are optimistic they can resolve objections. The hearing will continue on June 23.

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